Penn Perks
- Health and Fitness
- Discounts and Savings
- Children and Family
- Financial Programs/Services
- Quality of Worklife
- Events and Attractions
- Recreation
- Groups and Clubs
- Misc Penn Perks
Health and Fitness
Kicking the habit may be one of the most challenging things you’ll ever do, but it will also be the most rewarding. Here are resources offered by Penn to help you achieve a life free from tobacco.
Penn’s StayWell portal is available at https://penn.staywell.com/ and provides access to many useful health resources. In addition, there is a helpline at 1 (855) 428-6324.
Earn up to $300 with the Be In The Know! program
Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA and Regional Y Alliances offer a 10% monthly membership discount to all Penn employees with valid PennCards. There is no joiner fee for new Penn employee memberships. To receive the discount on a new membership, visit any YMCA location listed here and present your PennCard. Existing members can sign up for a discount at their home branch.
Staying in shape is a challenge for many of us, but Penn can make it easier. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle, or amp up your physical activity, Penn can help you get fit—at a discount!
Through a partnership with GlobalFit—a provider of healthy-living benefits—you can enjoy discounted rates at hundreds of fitness clubs in the Philadelphia area. GlobalFit guarantees you the lowest membership prices to a variety of gyms, including Bally’s, Curves, 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and more. That means you can boost your health without breaking the bank.
Just visit GlobalFit online and enter your zip code to find a participating gym near you.
Penn receives no compensation, benefits, or other consideration of any kind when faculty or staff make use of the GlobalFit program.
Campus Recreation Wellness Programs are designed to support Student, Faculty, and Staff well-being.
https://recreation.upenn.edu/fitness-wellness-2/wellness-programs/
It’s one thing to know what the right food and exercise choices are—it’s quite another to make those choices and stick to them over the long run. The Weight Watchers flexible, sustainable weight-loss system helps you do just that.
The healthcare system is complex, and can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Where do you turn when you’re confused by medical bills or need help finding the right doctor? And what can you do if you try to schedule an appointment, only to be told that the next opening isn’t for another six months?
You have an easy-to-use resource to help you resolve these and other healthcare-related issues. Health Advocate, a free and confidential service, will help you and your family handle any concern with ease.
Visit https://www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/benefits/health/healthadvocate or call 1 (866) 799-2329 to take advantage of this free service.
Discounts and Savings
The Penn community receives an academic discount on computers and computer products.
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/
Faculty and staff receive a 10% discount at the Penn Bookstore when showing a valid PennCard. Some exclusions (such as textbooks and electronics) apply.
Cingular Wireless, Nextel, and Verizon Wireless offer discounts on cellular service plans and phones.
To receive the discount on your cell phone service, just call your carrier and inform them you are an employee and after you verify your employment, you'll start receiving the discount.
YouDecide is a convenient portal offering Penn faculty and staff access to hundreds of discounts from local and national providers on goods and services. Providers include arts and cultural organizations, florists, apparel, entertainment, insurance products, home improvement, and many others. Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit YouDecide often to browse through the latest selections. Your PennKey and password are required for access. Some staff favorites, are Six Flags, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the 76ers!
The Annenberg Center offers a 20% discount to Penn staff and faculty for all Annenberg Center performances. This offer is valid for four tickets to each performance. Order online by entering the promo code PENN. To order by phone or in person simply mention the Penn faculty and staff discount. Your tickets will need to be picked up at the Box Office, as you will be required to present a valid Penn ID. Special subscription discounts are also available on select series for faculty and staff. Please call the Box Office at 215.898.3900 for more information.
Discount of $1 off public skate admission price. 3130 Market
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/icerink/
10% discount on Transpasses and Trailpasses (on top of the first $240 being pre-tax)
In addition, Septa Pass Perks – a new program (With a weekly or monthly SEPTA Pass only) offers discounts and other perks in and around Philadelphia. https://iseptaphilly.com/perks
You are allowed to borrow up to 4 movies at a time for 7 days each Van Pelt Library Tip: Browse the online catalog before you go http://www.library.upenn.edu/catalogs/vcat/
You can search for it in the FindIt Box at the top of any library home page or directly here:
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/1728
- Uber joined with Penn to promote safe, on-demand ridesharing options that supplement Penn's integrated transportation system. If you are new to Uber, use the Penn promotion code QUAKERRIDES to get your first Uber ride free, up to $20.18 in value (offer expires 12/31/2018). Be on the lookout for more special offers and promotions for the Penn community.
- Zipcar - get an annual membership rate of $25 vs $60 ( for occasional driving plan). Also the one time application fee is waived
http://www.zipcar.com/penn - You can get discounts on new and used cars by joining Penn’s credit union http://www.uofpfcu.com/ , which requires only a $5 minimum deposit.
- Ford and General Motors offer discounts on new vehicles to Penn faculty and staff.
http://www.hr.upenn.edu/programs/cardiscounts.asp
Amazon@Penn offers a convenient and secure location for faculty and staff to pick up and return Amazon orders. Visit penn.amazon.com to activate your Penn account.
PersonalShip is a service that provides members of the Penn community the opportunity to benefit from the University’s discounted rates to send packages via express mail. To begin saving on your shipments, visit www.upenn.edu/personalship.
This is full text access to newspapers around the world (think pdfs of newspapers), including The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/21994
Children and Family
Snow Day Child Care provides all-day care for children of Penn faculty and staff members when the University is open but Philadelphia schools are closed* due to inclement weather as space permits. Children from all school districts are welcome, however, preference is given to children of Penn faculty and staff.
http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/childcare/temporary-childcare/snow-day-care.html
Penn Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars are invited to bring family and friends to the annual Penn Family Day held in October each year. Watch for details on the next Penn Family Day by visiting: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/penn-community/awards-and-appreciation/penn-family-day
Penn can help ease the financial impact of bringing home a new child by reimbursing up to $5,000 for eligible adoption expenses. Visit https://www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/worklife/family to learn more.
The Penn Children’s Center provides child care and education for children (ages 3 months to 5 years) of all faculty, staff and students of the University. Visit https://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/childcare/ to learn more about this award-winning institution.
This program, which includes a free Breastfeeding Support Group, can help new mothers make a smoother transition back to work while nursing a newborn. Visit http://www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/worklife/family/nursingmothers
Penn understands the importance of providing children with positive, productive experiences in their formative years. That's why we host the annual Take Our Children to Work Day, an event that encourages and inspires youngsters, and introduces them to the workplace. Each year on the fourth Thursday in April, Penn provides an exciting array of activities on campus for children ages 9–15. Please note, all participants must have supervisory approval and must accompany their young guests to all activities.
Penn’s life insurance carrier, Aetna, offers Penn employees enrolled in life insurance free funeral planning services through its partnership with Everest. Visit http://tinyurl.com/z33qzzh to learn more.
Juggling your personal and professional lives can be especially challenging if you’re a caregiver with multiple responsibilities—and even more so when difficult care needs arise that will interfere with your ability to work. Penn’s Backup Care program can help when your babysitter cancels at the last minute, your child has a school holiday or inservice, an elderly parent is visiting and can’t be left alone, or your spouse/partner needs assistance after surgery.
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/family-care/backup-care
Financial Programs/Services
A great way to save money on known dependent care, elder care and health care expenses.
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/health-life-and-fsa/flexible-spending-accounts
If you choose to make your own contributions to your account, the University will provide Matching contributions up to 5% of your base salary (subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations).
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/saving-for-retirement/savings-plans
The University of Pennsylvania established a $7,500 forgivable loan as an incentive for faculty and staff interested in living and/or currently residing in the West Philadelphia community. These loans can be used for closing costs, down payment, to buy down points, and/or for interior or exterior home improvements. In addition, the loan can be used to convert a property from a multi-family to a single-family residence. Existing home owners may apply for the $7,500 loan for improvements to houses that meet the program's criteria.
http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/forgivable-loan.html
The Closing Cost Reduction Program (CCRP) offers mortgage financing options with discounted closing costs (.25% of mortgaged amount) to the University Community for the purchase and refinancing of homes.
http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/closing-cost-reduction-program.html
Vacation and Holiday Club accounts, Discounts for New & Used Cars, Free $1000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: https://uofpandmmfcu.com/
PNC WorkPlace Banking offers Penn faculty and staff a complete set of money management tools with exclusive features, benefits and rewards. Call or email Debra McAnney today 215-585-7207 or debra.mcanney@pnc.com
https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/pnc/home/personal/student+banking/university-of-pennsylvania
Quality of Worklife
Penn's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides eligible faculty and staff and their families access to free, confidential, 24/7 counseling and referral services for personal and professional life issues from any location. EAP services are available by phone, email, webchat, video, and through face-to-face sessions. The Health Advocate EAP counselors will connect you with the right experts at the right time: masters level clinicians, work/life specialists, medical bill negotiators, and financial and legal professionals. In addition, Health Advocate offers multi-language capabilities.
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/counseling-and-employee-assistance-program
Free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day phone service provides Penn faculty, staff, and their immediate family members with easy access to get support for financial and legal services. All benefits-eligible faculty and staff can access these resources by calling 1-866-799-2329.
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/legal-and-financial-resources
Penn offers a variety of arrangements such as flextime, flexplace and a compressed work plan that help employees manage their busy schedules. For more information, visit https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/flexible-work-options
Security Services offers free services to anybody with car problems on campus. Call (215) 573-3333 or 511 from any campus phone.
Events and Attractions
Free Admission with Penn Card 3260 South Street (across from Franklin Field)
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/
Free Admission with Penn Card 118 S. 36th St. http://www.icaphila.org/
Free Friday lunch concerts series - Downstairs at World Café Live 3025 Walnut Street
http://xpn.org/events/free-at-noon
Free admission with Penn card. Located off of Germantown Pike Weekdays:12pm - 8pm Weekends, 11am - 5pm
http://www.morrisarboretum.org/
The Department of Music sponsors a great many performances throughout the year. Please visit this Performance Calendar often to stay informed about upcoming recitals, concerts, and events.
https://www.sas.upenn.edu/music/performance/performance-calendar
Showcases seldom-seen treasures from the University's collections and other public and private collections.
Faculty and staff will receive emails from the Penn Athletics ticket office when tickets are available.
Visit: https://ev2.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/EVExecMacro?linkID=upenn&evm=prmo&RSRC=&RDAT=&caller=PR, and enter the promo code PENNCARDFB for Football and PENNCARDMB for Basketball, and you can see what is currently available.
Preserves the works of more than 400 designers from the 18th century to the present.
http://www.archives.upenn.edu/
Free admission (except the final) Where: Franklin Field When: Annually each April
Recreation
Flag Football, Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer leagues (Summer, spring, or fall)
Weekly Group Runs, Training Tips, Cross Country & Track Workouts, Team Races, Clinics with Expert Guest Speakers, Social Events Discounts at The Sport Shop @ Penn
Steel-framed fiberglass clad all weather tennis courts. The Hecht Tennis Center opened as the Robert P. Levy Tennis Pavilion in September of 1973 providing the University with four indoor, climate-controlled courts. Four additional courts were completed in May of 1978. These eight courts are for use primarily by Penn Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and their spouse and dependent children. The facility has been substantially upgraded in 2014.
https://www.facilities.upenn.edu/maps/locations/hecht-tennis-center
Recreation Access to the Hutchinson Gym PennFit Program PennRec Health Challenge Instructional Classes during Demo Week
Salsa, Ballroom, Argentine Tango and Swing lessons When: Often – check websites Web:
- Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance - http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/ballroom/
- UPenn Argentine Tango Club - https://sites.google.com/view/penntango
The University of Pennsylvania Tae Kwon Do Club (ITF) is taught by master Felice Macera (5th degree black belt) in a traditional setting that emphasizes both mental and physical conditioning. Classes, scheduled approximately three times a week, are intended to challenge the body physically through aerobic and muscular conditioning while using the energy generated to create a better awareness of mental focus and control to be applied both inside and outside the training room
The Penn Walking Program, open to all faculty and staff, is a flexible, motivational health and wellness resource that provides materials and support to help you meet your fitness goals. You can start at any time. You can walk alone or in a group, and you can follow pre-mapped, interesting routes or create your own path. All you need are some good shoes and carved-out time from your busy schedule to get moving.
When you join the Penn Walking Program, you’ll receive:
- A tracking booklet to record your progress manually
- Access to the Penn Walking Program tracking website
- A free pedometer to help you track your steps and mileage
- A free Penn Walking Program t-shirt
- Notice about monthly one- and two-mile wellness walks
- Special updates about community walk/jog/run events in the Philadelphia area
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/penn-healthy-you/fitness/penn-walking-program
Groups and Clubs
The Staff/Faculty Eco-Reps Program is a peer education program that provides the tools to improve the environmental sustainability of Penn offices and labs.
http://www.upenn.edu/sustainability/eco-reps/staff
Buffet lunch, meeting rooms, free continental breakfast. (Yearly membership fee; faculty and staff new to the University can sign up for FREE 1st year membership.)
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/universityclub/
A creative writing workshop for staff of the University of Pennsylvania! From a variety of backgrounds and University departments, Penn & Pencilers are writers of fiction, literary non-fiction, and poetry.
UPenn Chess Club invites you to our community! Here you will find all kinds of people, ranging from the quantitative trader to the dedicated volunteer at West Philly. Ultimately, we all love this royal game and wish to share it with the rest of the community.
Some enjoy socializing and attending fun events from happy hours to gourmet dining events. Others use the clubhouse for their professional needs, from hosting meetings to entertaining clients in our main dining room, to networking with other members. Yet others see the value in utilizing our affordable overnight rooms, Palestra Fitness Center and massage services. Many members love the membership benefit of access to over 150 exclusive reciprocal clubs around the world. Other members take advantage of other membership benefits such as discounts ranging from clothing to auto rentals.
Misc Penn Perks
Penn Vet offers all Penn faculty and staff a 20% discount off hospital services and substantial discounts atRyan Veterinary Hospital for Companion Animals. Ryan Hospital Clinical Services offers a drop-off service for pets to minimize work-day interruptions.
Penn Vet employees are also eligible for discounts at New Bolton Center's Hospital for Large Animals in Kennett Square, PA.
Visit www.vet.upenn.edu/veterinary-hospitals to learn more or make an appointment.